No arrests yet in arson fires

No arrests have been made and no suspects identified in the two arson fires started last month, according to police and fire officials.

Fire investigator Capt. Justin Buckingham of the combined Ukiah Valley Fire District and Ukiah Fire Department said the fire on Father's Day, June 16, on Cindee Drive that destroyed a townhome was started by some sort of accelerant put on a couch outside the building.

"Gas, diesel, anything that's ignitable," Buckingham said, explaining that the chemical will not be identified until results come back from evidence sent to the Department of Justice.

An accelerant was also identified at the scene of the fire set three days later on June 19 at the Village Creek complex that damaged four apartments.

Buckingham said an arson dog alerted to areas outside of the building where the fire may have started in either wood chips or leaves, and also alerted on a piece of clothing that will be analyzed as well.

Buckingham said there is a serious backlog in the evidences labs, however, as evidence sent in from the fire set at the Fircrest apartment complex March 4 has yet to be returned.

A woman was identified as a potential suspect in that fire by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, and Buckingham said while there are differences between the March fire, which he also investigated, and those set in June, "I can't rule her out 100 percent."

The criminal side of the investigation into the June fires is being handled by the Ukiah Police Department, and Chief Chris Dewey said he could not comment on any potential suspects.

"It is too early," Dewey said. "We are actively looking at the case and working with the labs right now. We never comment on suspects."

Justine Frederiksen can be reached at udjjf@ukiahdj.com, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or at 468-3521.